Where are they now?: Catching up with 2009 Arabian Gulf side that competed at World Cup Sevens

Paul Radley catches up with the historic 2009 Arabian Gulf side that competed against the world’s best as amateurs. And he finds that many of the players are still in the area and are still involved in rugby.

Mike Lunjevich, centre, was the coach of the Arabian Gulf side that competed at the 2009 World Cup Sevens. Paulo Vecina / The National

Back in 2009, a side of amateur players represented the region on the world stage for the first, and so far only, time in rugby.

Nearly seven years on, the majority of the Arabian Gulf side who played at the World Cup Sevens, the tournament for which the new stadium on the Al Ain Road was built, are still here.

Despite the transience of life in the Middle East, 10 of the 12 players live here now, and many will be involved at the Dubai Rugby Sevens this weekend.

Coach Mike Lunjevich

Now: Playing for Jebel Ali Dragons in the Gulf Vets.

A lawyer from New Zealand, who played internationally for Croatia, Lunjevich was the coach of the Gulf’s World Cup team. He is back playing in the local vets competition this weekend.

1. David Clark

Now: Playing for Gulf Legends in the International Vets.

The long-time captain of the Arabian Gulf XVs side. He will play alongside the former England hooker Steve Thompson for the Gulf Legends, but is unlikely to feel overawed. He played Heineken Cup rugby as a young player in Scotland before his job in the finance industry brought him to the Middle East.

2. Chris Gregory

Now: Playing for Dubai Hurricanes in the Gulf Vets.

The hooker-come-scrum-half is possibly the most successful captain there has been in domestic rugby, after a long spell at the helm of Dubai Hurricanes. A projects manager for an engineering company, he is playing for Hurricanes in the Gulf Vets while still being a first XV regular.

3. Stephen Cooper

Now: Absent this weekend.

A centre for Dubai Exiles in XVs who was employed in the forwards in the shorter format, he was the captain of the World Cup side. He briefly left the UAE to return to his native South Africa, but is back living in Dubai as a retail manager for Nike.

4. Dan Patching

Now: Living in the UK.

A physical education schoolteacher who was a creative spark in the Gulf side from his position at scrum-half. He has since returned to the UK to teach.

5. Jonny Macdonald

Now: Retired.

The youngest player in the World Cup side has since hung up his boots as a result of repeated concussions.

The Abu Dhabi-born playmaker crammed plenty into his short career, representing the Gulf in the World Cup, then being selected for Scotland in the world series.

Now: back living in Dubai after studying in the UK and working in Hong Kong, he coaches Heartbeat Tigers women.

6. Taif Al Delamie

Now: Playing for Jebel Ali Dragons in the Gulf Men’s League.

The second-youngest player suffered the same fate as the first. Al Delamie, the first Arab national to captain the representative team, was forced to retire this year due to concussion.

However, he is making a comeback this weekend, against doctors’ advice, to assist Jebel Ali Dragons’ trophy challenge.

7. Corey Oliver

Now: Playing for Jebel Ali Dragons in the Gulf Vets.

Returning to the playing fields for a strong Jebel Ali Dragons side in the competition for players age 35 and over. Oliver founded Original Fitness Co in Dubai and is now the head of leisure at Three60 Leisure.

8. Marcus Smith

Now: Retired.

First learnt rugby age four at Dubai Exiles, he played professionally in Australia before returning to enjoy a fine international career with the Arabian Gulf. He created and runs the fitness company Inner Fight.

9. Sean Hurley

Now: Coaching Jebel Ali Dragons in the Gulf Men’s League.

The most capped representative player, in a career combining both the Arabian Gulf and the UAE eras. The Australian back still plays when work permits, but travel means he will miss the start of the Dragons campaign today.

10. Stuart Gibb

Now: Retired.

A former pupil at Dubai College, the Jebel Ali Dragon scored a try against New Zealand in the World Cup. He has rarely played since due to injury, bar the occasional appearance for DC Old Boys in the sevens, and is a manager at Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence.

11. Josh Sherrin

Now: Living in the UK.

A South African forward who was a powerful presence for Dubai Hurricanes and the Gulf. He has since moved to London to work.

12. Francois Coetzer

Now: Retired.

A pacey wing in the sevens and XVs side for the Exiles and Arabian Gulf, despite being hampered by a knee injury for much of his representative career. No longer plays regular competitive rugby, but has made annual appearances in the sevens.

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